4-Point Inspections for Home Insurance
Fast, Accurate Reports to Help You Secure Coverage
If you are purchasing an older home (typically 25+ years old) or renewing your current homeowners insurance policy, your insurance agent may request a 4-Point Inspection. Unlike a standard home inspection, which details the condition of the entire house for the buyer, a 4-Point Inspection is strictly for the insurance company.
We provide comprehensive 4-Point Inspection reports designed to meet the strict underwriting requirements of major insurance carriers.
What is a 4-Point Inspection?
Insurance companies are in the business of risk management. As homes age, the critical systems that protect the property (like the roof and wiring) become more prone to failure. A 4-Point Inspection is a limited scope evaluation that focuses only on the four main systems that cause the most frequent insurance claims:
Roofing
Electrical
Plumbing
HVAC (Heating & Cooling)
The goal of this inspection is not to decide if you should buy the home, but to determine if the home is insurable.
The 4 Points: What We Look For
We inspect these four components to determine their age, condition, and remaining service life.
1. Roofing System
The roof is the first line of defense against water damage. Insurance companies want to know if it will hold up during a storm.
What we check: The age of the roof, the type of covering (shingle, tile, metal), missing shingles, granular loss, and signs of active leaks.
The Big Question: Does the roof have at least 3 to 5 years of useful life remaining?
2. Electrical System
Electrical fires are a massive liability. We look for outdated wiring types that are known fire hazards.
What we check: The brand of the electrical panel (looking for recalled brands like Federal Pacific or Zinsco), the type of wiring (checking for Cloth, Knob & Tube, or Aluminum branch wiring), and the presence of proper grounding.
The Big Question: Is the system modernized and safe for today’s power loads?
3. Plumbing System
Water damage is the most common home insurance claim.
What we check: The type of supply and drain lines. We look specifically for Polybutylene pipes (common in the 80s/90s) or old Galvanized Steel pipes, both of which are high risks for bursting. We also verify the age and condition of the Water Heater.
The Big Question: Are the pipes made of stable materials, and is the water heater leaking?
4. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning)
What we check: We verify the age of the unit, ensure the heating and cooling functions are operational, and check for condensation leaks that could rot subflooring.
The Big Question: Is there a functioning primary heat source, and is the AC unit properly draining?
Common “Fail” Items
If your home “fails” a 4-Point inspection, it usually means the insurance company will not write a policy until the specific issue is fixed. Common deal-breakers include:
Polybutylene pipes
Aluminum Wiring
Cloth Wiring
Roof issues
Cast iron